FR44 Insurance- We Believe In 4th Chances. Let's Get Your Keys Back

Most consumers and many insurance agents are totally unfamiliar with Florida FR44 insurance; this is okay, that is what we are here for. The FR44 filing process must be completed successfully before a Florida DUI driver can reinstate their license. Policyholders and insurance professionals alike need to avail themselves of the facts to eliminate the confusion. 

Make sure to discuss with your Lawyer (if you have one) how you are to proceed before purchasing FR44 insurance. This is one of the last stops before reinstating your drivers license. The liability requirements for the State of Florida FR44 are a minimum of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident of Bodily Injury Liability and $50,000 Property Damage Liability. A single combined limit of $300,000 liability is also acceptable. The Financial Responsibility requirement for ALL Florida drivers is $10,000 per person, $20,000 per accident Bodily Injury Liability and $10,000 Property Damage. FR44's are NON-Cancellable and MUST be paid in Full unless stated by the carrier in question. The FR44 compliance period is three years, until your FL state filing is satisfied. The FL FR44 filing must be filed on a Florida auto insurance policy. 

The FR44 state filing fee is $25.00. However the increased liability limits, DUI violation, possible accident record, removal of safe driver discounts, and the placement into a less favorable rating tier account for much more. Some startup discounts are as follows; prior auto coverage without a lapse, if you're a homeowner, if you have an educational degree, your occupation and your vehicle has airbags, anti-lock breaks, and anti-theft devices. Over time, maintaining high limits and continuous prior insurance provides significant discounts that reduce rates. After 3 years the points from the DUI are removed depending on the companies, some companies look at 3 year history while other look at five year history. You will see a nice rate DECREASE once you remove the FR44 filing. 

Apart from car or truck policy, a non-owner or motorcycle policy is acceptable. These two types exclude Personal Injury Protection which is very expensive and required on every car or truck policy. The non-owner policy is only available to drivers who do not own a vehicle(meaning the title is not in your name), and do not have regular access to one. The motorcycle insurance policy is the least restrictive and often the least expensive way to file. ***TIP: The non-owners policy is not always the cheapest FR44 policy. 

The required information is derived from the Motor Vehicle Reports and policy application and includes the name, address, license number, and birth date of insured, effective date, insurance NAIC code, policy number of company, and FR44 case number. The policy type is indicated as either owners policy with the year, make, model, and VIN of all registered vehicles, or operators (non-owner) policy, applicable to any vehicle not registered or titled to insured. Authorized representative signature and date prepared completes form. All of this information together completes the FR44 Certificate which is sent to the state within 24 hours of purchasing the policy. This certificate MUST stay with you at all times while operating a vehicle.

The completed certificate form is filed (submitted) to Florida’s Bureau of Financial Responsibility in Tallahassee. After June 30, 2009 all companies must submit filings electronically. The DMV does not accept proof from policyholders, HOWEVER they will accept a faxed or emailed copy of the FR44 certificate from your insurance agent as long as it contains the insurance agents letterhead. Companies are required to notify the bureau when there is a cancellation, termination, or lapse of a policy for any reason. If this was to happen, your 3 years may have to start from the very beginning... Buying from a company that files at point of sale accelerates the process. Choose a company that files instantly in order to reinstate your license quickly. S & J Insurance Group can help you with that!